The beginning of Islamic month of Zilqad marks the birth anniversary of Lady Fatima Masooma (as). Lady Fatima Masuma (as), most commonly known as Masooma-e-Qum (as), was born on the 1st of Zilqad, 174 AH in Madina. She is also known as Kareema Ahlul Bayt (as), "the noble woman of the Prophet (pbuh)`s household." Lady Fatima Masooma (as) is the most beloved and the only sister of our 8th Imam, Imam Raza (as).
The mother of Lady Fatima Masuma (as) and Imam Ali Raza (as) did not have any other children than these two. She was also known by numerous names, the most famous of them was Najma Khatun (as).
Not long after her birth, her father was martyred in the prison of Haroon, the Abbasid oppressor. Imam Ali Raza (as) took her guardianship after the martyrdom of 7th Imam. Lady Fatima Masooma (as) exceptionally loved her brother, Imam Raza (as). Her love for Imam Raza (as) is often compared to the love Bibi Zainab (as) had for Imam Hussain (as).
Due to her strong beliefs, integrity and schooling under the supervision of Imamate, she reached such a high place that even the Imam entitled her of being Masuma (infallible). This title was given to her by her brother Imam Raza (as). The book Naasikh Al-Tawaareekh, vol. 3, p. 68, has narrated that he said: "Whoever visits al-Masooma in Qum, it is as if (s)he has visited me."
In Kamil al Ziyarah, it is quoted form Imam Raza (as) that "Whoever does the ziyarat of Masooma in Qom it is as though he/she has done my ziyarat."
Qadi Nurullah Shushtari (d. 1109 A.H.) reports from the 6th Imam, Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as): "A lady from my children whose name will be Fatima, daughter of Musa, will die in Qum. On the Day of Judgement this lady will intercede for all my Shia to enter Heaven."
Under the guardianship of Imam Raza (as), Lady Fatima Masooma (as) spent a sinless life following the teachings of Quran. She`s a complete role model and her life shows how one can submit to God`s will and complete obedience to the Imam of their time. In her entire voyage from Medina to Qum, she spoke against oppression and assisted the subjugated people, teaching Muslims another great lesson of humanity.
She also described the customs from the Prophet (pbuh) and his Ahlul Bayt (as) (as). From among them, she has related from Lady Fatima Zahra who has related from her father, the Messenger of God: "Know that whoever dies with the love of Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad dies a martyr."
Qum has always played a noteworthy role throughout the history of Islam, especially as a city of the followers of Ahlul Bayt (as). After the city of knowledge, Najaf al Ashraf, the supreme place and learning institute of the Shia world is in Qom because of this blessed Lady Fatimah Masooma (as). Her holy shrine is surrounded by institutes with more than twenty thousand students along with the most learned scholars study, teach and conduct researches. Most of the Shia world`s leading researchers have studied in Qum at one time or another. The top Shia clerics and scholars spend their whole lives and continue to do so.
This city is comprised of several libraries and learning institutes within its district. Affaan Al-Basri stated that Imam Sadiq asked me, "Do you know why Qum has been named Qum?" I said, "God, His Messenger, and you know better." The Imam replied, "Qum has been named Qum because its people will join the one who will rise (Al-Qaim) from the Household of Muhammad, they will stand (Yaqoomoona) with him, they will stay loyal to him (Yastaqeemoona), and assist him." (Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 60, p. 216)
In another tradition from the same book, vol. 60, p. 213, it is stated from Imam Sadiq: "Soon Kufa will become empty of the believers, and knowledge will leave it like a snake leaves its hole. Then knowledge will appear in a land called Qum. It will become the center of knowledge and virtue so that there will not remain an unaware person in his religion, not even the woman who stays at home. This will happen close to the time of the reappearance of our Qaim (Imam Mahdi (as))."
Shaheed Foundation Pakistan congratulates all the Masoomeen (as), especially Imam Raza (as), on this delightful occasion of Wiladat of Lady Fatima Masooma (as). May Allah gives us an opportunity to visit the shrine of Bibi Masooma in Qum, make us enter paradise with the companions of Ahlul Bayt (as), and add our names in the army of our Imam-e-Qaim (as), Ameen!
By Rima Hassan
source : http://www.shaheedfoundation.org
